Brown Ambition

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with powerhouse lawyer, author, and TV host Eboni K. Williams for an inspiring and transparent conversation about life, career, and motherhood. Eboni opens up about her journey to becoming a solo mom by choice, navigating a 45-hour labor, and the support system that helped her through postpartum. She also shares hard truths about the maternal health crisis for Black women, the realities of egg freezing and fertility treatments, and why she named her daughter Liberty. On the career side, Eboni breaks down how she runs her business like a CEO, why she’ll never take a W-2 job again, and how she leverages visibility from projects like The Real Housewives of New York to fuel her purpose-driven work. From resilience in dark seasons to practical money lessons about multiple streams of income, this episode is a blueprint for building life — and wealth — on your own terms. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Eboni chose solo motherhood and what her birth and postpartum journey looked like The realities of fertility treatments and egg freezing that most women don’t hear upfront How to navigate being a small business owner in media and beyond Why multiple streams of income are critical (no matter your salary level) The emotional cost and visibility gain of being the first Black Real Housewife of NYC How to reclaim cultural identity and patriotism on your own terms   Resources & Links 📖 Grab Eboni’s book: Bet on Black: The Good News About Being Black in America (now in paperback!) 🎧 Listen to Eboni’s podcast: Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams Follow Eboni on Instagram: @ebonikwilliams   BA Fam, Let’s Connect! Join the conversation on IG: @brownambitionpodcast Share the episode and tag us — we love seeing your takeaways! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & review to keep spreading the ambition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s listener, “Beth,” is stuck between tax debt and credit card debt—plus the anxiety that comes when you’re a little bit of a rebel, chasing that nonprofit art life immigrant parents never signed off on. (We see you, Beth!) Mandi shares lessons from her own contractor journey, breaks down why the IRS is no joke, and gets honest about how hard it is to face down those phone calls and official forms. You’ll hear: • Why tax debt takes priority (because the IRS does NOT play, y’all) • Smart ways to negotiate payment plans (and what “offer in compromise” means) • Real talk on avoiding credit card traps, balance transfers, and why budgeting apps like Rocket Money and Monarch can help you see the whole mess clearly • Which debt payoff method actually works for real people (snowball vs. avalanche, plus why momentum matters) • How to keep your sanity and your community close—because shame and overwhelm are not welcome on this show • Lifting each other up and why it’s ok to slow down, set boundaries, and put self-care first (even free self-care counts!)If you’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just wish you weren’t facing those numbers alone, this is the episode for you. Write in, DM, or leave us a voice memo with your story—we’ll show up, judgment free. RSVP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR 9/25: How to Use AI To Master Your Money + Career In a Challenging Economy RESOURCES MENTIONED:  https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you IRS PHONE DETAILS:  Individuals800-829-10407 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Businesses800-829-49337 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time https://www.rocketmoney.com/ https://www.monarchmoney.com/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi dives into the latest jobs report and how the government issued ANOTHER correction that shows we actually added 911,000 FEWER jobs than they calculated last year. That's half as many jobs as they reported. WTF?She also digs into what the data really says about the state of the economy, especially for Black women. With over 300,000 Black women pushed out of the workforce this year, she breaks down why the numbers don’t always tell the full story and how systemic bias shows up in hiring trends. But it’s not all doom and gloom she highlights industries where jobs are still growing, from healthcare to IT, and offers perspective on pursuing career moves that align with your skills and passion rather than just chasing trends. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to identify your personal “power hours” and use them for your most important goals The reality behind the labor market and why Black women are being hit hardest Sectors where job opportunities are growing despite the downturn How to balance pursuing in-demand fields with staying true to your own career path Practical ways to use AI to boost your job search and career strategy Why protecting your mental health is just as important as networking and applying Resources and Links Mentioned: Click here to Sign up for Mandi’s free workshop: How to Leverage AI for Your Career – September 25th, 8 p.m. EST  Join the Brown Ambition Book Club via Patreon:patreon.com/brownambition Learn more about the Loveland Foundation: thelovelandfoundation.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BA Fam, we’ve got a special one for you today! 🎉 Tiffany is back in the studio and she didn’t come alone — she brought along her powerhouse financial advisor Anjali Jariwala. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to build wealth after financial setbacks, this convo is for you. Tiffany opens up about her journey from foreclosure to financial freedom, and how she learned to let go of control and finally trust someone else with her money. (Spoiler: it wasn’t easy!) Anjali breaks down the emotional side of money — especially for children of immigrants — and shares the tools she uses to help clients like Tiffany make smart financial moves. We get into everything from navigating money trauma, to building a solid financial foundation, to unlocking “cheat codes” the wealthy use (ever heard of a pledged asset line? 👀). You’ll also hear: Why Tiffany interviewed nearly 20 advisors before landing on Anjali How financial planning goes way beyond investing (think: insurance, estate planning, and even grief support) The real talk about debt: when it’s dangerous and when it can actually be a wealth-building tool Tiffany’s behind-the-scenes stories of buying not one but TWO new properties — and the strategies that made it possible This episode is equal parts financial glow-up and bestie therapy session. Whether you’re just starting out or already stacking assets, you’ll walk away with practical tips and a reminder that money is emotional and that’s okay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with the brilliant Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman award-winning researcher, speaker, and author of The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid. Anna breaks down the reality of the “double tax”  that compounded cost of racism + sexism that women of color know all too well. From hair discrimination to pay inequity, resume “whitening” to broken rungs on the career ladder, Anna shows us the data behind our lived experiences and, most importantly, offers solutions for economic justice. We get real about: Why “diversity vs. merit” is a false narrative (spoiler: they’re complements, not competitors). The hidden financial and emotional toll of navigating workplaces as women of color. How Anna negotiated her first big offer (and walked away with $20K more 💅🏾). The role of allies — and why Chelsea Clinton writing her book’s foreword actually makes sense. Why Governor Lisa Cook’s fight matters for all of us, not just Black women. Anna also shares her personal journey: from growing up Ghanaian-American to becoming a PhD candidate at Harvard, teaching future economists, and creating a pathway for the next generation of women of color in academia and beyond. This isn’t just a convo about the problems — it’s about solutions, power moves, and creating change. ✨ Resources + Links Mentioned in This Episode: Grab Anna’s book: The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid Follow Anna on IG: https://www.instagram.com/itsafronomics/?hl=en Learn more about the Sadie Collective: sadiecollective.org Show your support: #WeStandWithLisaCook Let’s Connect:IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoneyEmail: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com We launched a Patreon! 🎉 🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BA Fam, today’s Wash Day Woosah is a treat. We’ve got our girl Giovanna “Gigi” Gonzalez aka The First Gen Mentor,  author of Cultura & Cash, and three-time BA guest back on the mic. But this time, she’s not joining us from Chicago… she’s calling in from Spain! In this episode, Gigi shares the money moves and life decisions that made it possible for her and her husband to pack up and move abroad. We talk about: The financial planning behind her big move (and what she wishes she’d known sooner). How she turned her biggest regret—never studying abroad—into a mid-career dream come true. The not-so-sexy side of moving abroad: visas, taxes, and the Spanish version of the IRS (spoiler: don’t mess with Hacienda). What’s surprised her most about living in Spain (yes, even the credit cards work differently). Why she’s pushing for a Spanish-language version of her book to serve first-gen families across borders. We also get real about career pivots, the rise and fall of DEI budgets, navigating relationships with neurodivergence, and why sometimes the real flex isn’t retiring early—it’s having the freedom to choose how and when you work. Resources & Links: Follow Gigi on IG and TikTok: @thefirstgenmentor Grab her book Cultura en Cash wherever you get your books Join the BA Fam newsletter at brownambitionpodcast.com Let’s Connect:IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoneyEmail: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com We launched a Patreon! 🎉 🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re doing something different, BA Fam! Mandi takes us on a trip down memory lane, looking back at her five favorite moments from the summer of 2025. From thought-provoking conversations to laugh-out-loud guest appearances, these episodes stood out not just while recording, but even more when listening back with fresh ears. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: -Why replaying past episodes feels so different from being in the interviewer’s chair -The most popular and talked-about episode of the summer—and why it resonated   Let’s Connect:IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoneyEmail: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com   We launched a Patreon! 🎉 🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this discussion, Victoria L. Johnson, the founder of the Sailor Moon Fan Club podcast, shares her journey in creating spaces for underrepresented anime fans. She highlights the challenges and triumphs of building a community around anime, especially for Black and Brown women. The conversation explores the emotional bond with Sailor Moon and the importance of representation. Victoria also talks about empowering businesses through tech, the role of community support in entrepreneurship, and the significance of celebrating diversity in anime culture.

BA Fam, this week’s BA QA Mandi is joined by her girl, Yanely Espinal aka Miss Be Helpful and author of Mind Your Money — to answer a listener question that so many of us can relate to: How do you financially support aging parents when there’s little to no retirement savings in place? Yanely shares the systems she and her eight siblings built to cover their parents’ expenses, including: Setting up a joint family fund to automate bill payments. Creating a fair way for siblings to contribute different amounts without judgment. Why a high-yield savings account beats investment accounts for immediate needs. Balancing financial support with maintaining their parents’ dignity and independence. How to set allowance boundaries when one parent struggles with gambling. Tips for protecting elderly parents from scams and keeping finances transparent among siblings. Let’s Connect:IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoneyEmail: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com We launched a Patreon! 🎉🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey BA Fam! Mandi, Yanely, and Chris are back at the Brown table with real talk about life, business, and the news that’s shaping our money and our sanity. This week, Mandi kicks things off with a story about her busted laptop, a wild Apple Store experience, and how she stumbled onto a secret financing program for small business owners. From cracked screens to unexpected leases, we’re breaking down the ways solopreneurs can stretch their resources without drowning in debt. But that’s not all — we go from tech fixes to life updates: Yanely is thinking about their next big move (Miami? Barcelona? Van life?) Chris gets a crash course in babysitting two kids under four — and gains a whole new respect for parents. Mandi opens up about stress, sleep struggles, and why she’s finally considering a CPAP machine. Then, we shift gears and dig into the hard stuff happening in the world right now — including DC’s state of emergency, over-policing in Black and brown neighborhoods, and how authoritarian tactics abroad are starting to feel way too familiar here at home. It’s equal parts personal, political, and practical — the way we always do on Brown Ambition.   Links + Resources Mentioned Apple’s hidden business leasing program Info on Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) numbers for small business credit • • Defectors by Paola Ramos (recommended reading on Latinx politics + authoritarianism)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.